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Filling the STEM Pipeline: National 4-H Council and Lockheed Martin to Prepare More Diverse Youth for STEM CareersCHEVY CHASE, Md., Aug. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National 4-H Council and Lockheed Martin announced today the launch of a new national program, STEM Futures, to inspire more American youth to discover and explore career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The three year, $3 million commitment will build a STEM pipeline of future scientists, engineers and community science professionals who will become the next generation of leaders at work and in their communities. Nearly all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require STEM skills, including an estimated 2.8 million STEM jobs that will be created in just four years. But, only 16 percent of American high school seniors are interested in a STEM career, and the problem is worse for girls and minority youth, who are significantly under-represented in STEM degrees and careers. With the support of Lockheed Martin, 4-H will have additional capacity to address the need head-on through its proven programs, community of dedicated adult mentors, and intentional career readiness model. The STEM Futures program includes targeted outreach to engage girls and minority youth in exploring STEM careers using a new, research-based career readiness framework, the 4-H Career Pathway. The 4-H Career Pathway is designed to translate abstract, textbook STEM concepts into more appealing, practical experiences that help young people explore and prepare for STEM in the real world. The four components of the Pathway—Explore, Learn, Practice, Experience—provide intentional and progressive STEM education and leadership skills for youth of all ages.
As part of the STEM Futures program, Lockheed Martin employees, scientists and engineers from across the country will volunteer their time to mentor 4-H'ers. "Lockheed Martin has partnered with 4-H for many years on STEM programs that educate and inspire tomorrow's scientists, engineers and mathematicians," said Emily Simone, Lockheed Martin's director of Community Relations. "This new STEM Futures partnership will provide even more opportunities to introduce students to exciting STEM careers and make positive impacts on the world." In 2010, Lockheed Martin partnered with National 4-H Council to develop a robust 4-H Robotics program that transformed 4-H Science and helped catapult a 4-H National Youth Science Day initiative. The program has produced 450 robotics clubs and counting -- connecting 1.8 million youth across the nation to STEM. About 4-H Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion. Learn more about Lockheed Martin's STEM education activities at www.lockheedmartin.com/stem
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/filling-the-stem-pipeline-national-4-h-council-and-lockheed-martin-to-prepare-more-diverse-youth-for-stem-careers-300133329.html SOURCE National 4-H Council |